Chronic pain poses significant challenges for individuals and can have a profound impact on their well-being and lives. Pain can overshadow people’s lives, especially as they struggle to control their pain and eliminate it. Although this struggle is understandable, it can create a vicious cycle that can dominate, and leave little room for purpose and meaning.
There is emerging evidence indicating that as pain sufferers set aside struggles for control over pain, attend to present experiences, and engage in meaningful activities, they suffer less and function better, even while pain persists. These treatment processes are respectively referred to as acceptance, mindfulness, and values-based action where the best researched therapy model has been Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT). The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) also recommends Acceptance and Commitment Therapy for the management of chronic pain.
Workshop overview
In this engaging and thought-provoking workshop, your speaker Dr Kevin Vowles, professor of clinical health psychology will provide a comprehensive overview of the ACT model, focusing on acceptance, mindfulness, and values-based action as crucial processes. Through a combination of didactic instruction, case conceptualisation exercises, and experiential skill-building activities, you will have ample opportunities to deepen your understanding and refine your clinical practice.
By the end of this workshop, you will be equipped with the knowledge and skills necessary to identify treatment targets in individuals with chronic pain. Moreover, you will gain the confidence to apply interventions that promote acceptance, mindfulness, and values in your clinical practice, ultimately enhancing the well-being of your clients.
What you’ll learn
In this workshop, you will learn:
- The ACT Theoretical Model and its impact on treatment targets.
- Clinical skills to enhance acceptance, mindfulness, and clarity in valued actions.
- Values-based actions for effective treatment in chronic pain settings.
- The relationship between ACT theory, assessment, and shared treatment plans.
- How to prioritise components for ACT in chronic pain case conceptualisation.
We invite you to join us as we delve into this fascinating area of research and practice to explore how Acceptance and Commitment Therapy can make a meaningful difference in the lives of those suffering from chronic pain.
Who would benefit from this workshop?
Meant for practitioners who have already had basic introductory training in ACT, we recommend this workshop for all mental health professionals working in pain and physical health settings, including psychologists, BCBAs, medics, social workers, nurse, coaches, therapists, GPs, and OTs.